Into The Vertical Blank

What were some of hidden factors that led to the fall of Atari and the  golden age of classic video game consoles?  Did the world at large really understand video games at all?  In this episode we set out to prove, through the lens of some truly awful products and ideas, that the industry might have killed itself.

The back pages and new products sections of Electronic Games magazine in 1982 and 1983 were filled with all sorts of products, services and offers that were dubious at best, and possibly, criminal at worst.   It appears that in the very early years of video games  all sorts of people jumped at the chance to try to sell all manner of items to the newly minted audience of “arcaders” and “joystickers” (the terms Electronic Games editors used to refer to “gamers” in  the early days).  Below are some the most useless/interesting and bizarre products that we could dig up in those pages:

Notes:

See "Enhanced" Youtube version:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDXF4-gpPhc

Read Full Story With Photos: http://www.8bitrocket.com/?p=8026

Steve and Jeff provide two new stories about wanting to work for, with, or somehow adjacent to classic Atari.

The pair also answer feedback, to explain recent Irata, and give some responses to their favorite podcasts.

 Tony Longworth’s incredibly melodic industrial grunge track “Into the Vertical Blank” again accompanies this episode, along with original music and audio  productions from the Fulton Brothers.

Tony Longworth’s Music: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/TonyLongworth

The Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast: http://2600gamebygamepodcast.libsyn.com/

The Atari Bytes Podcast: https://ataribytes.libsyn.com/

The XL/XE Podcast: https://player.fm/series/xlxe

The Pie Factory Podcast: http://www.fab4it.com/piefactory/#/

The Christmas Bytes Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1678105444/christmas-bytes

This week we are inspired by  one of our all-time a favorite podcasts This American Life.  Taking a cue from Ira Glass’s often copied, but never duplicated style, we have collected three new stories on single topic: Going Going, Gone. Our first “Going” story from myself, Steve, called “Surprise Box” is about a seaside arcade that is destined to close forever.  Our next “going” story S from Jeff called “The Magic Basement” is about a certain retail establishment that is now on its last legs, but still fighting to stay alive.The final piece,   “Gone” story, named “Terms Not Disclosed” from  Steve,  talks about a certain restaurant from our youth that has disappeared and may never come back.

Photos from The Fun Factory
http://www.8bitrocket.com/2019/03/22/s2e2-going-going-gone/

This week, 8bitjeff gets into a some awesome listener feedback and provides some of his own for the Atari 5200 Podcast.  First up some questions and answers for Tony Longworth, who’s Into The Vertical Blank song gets its own full length airing in the episode. Next up is an incredible story by Bill Lange about his father, his childhood, Christmas and Lionel Trains.  To finish off the episode, Jeff provides instant feedback to the 5200 Podcast on their most recent episode about Star Wars games for the Atari Super System:

Tony Longworth’s CD Baby Store
https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/TonyLongworth

Old School Gamer Magazine - Which contain numerous Articles by Bill Lange
https://www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com/magazine/

The Atari 5200 Podcast

https://theatari5200superpodcast.libsyn.com/

Atari Mania Atari 8bit Star Wars Games

http://www.atarimania.com/list_games_atari_search_83.84.65.82.32.87.65.82.83._8_G.html

In this first episode of season 2 the Fulton’s dive into a mystery: Why hasn’t Atari’s magnificent 1983 game “Food Fight” appeared any of their retro game collections? Where has it is gone?   Episode features an in-depth interview with the fabulous Jonathan Hurd, creator on the Food Fight arcade game for GCC and Atari.

In this Bonus podcast between Season 1 and Season 2, Steve takes his family to the Retro City Festival in Pomona, CA .

Mild, family friendly hijinks ensue.

In this season 1 finale, the Fulton brothers discuss the early years of Atari and Christmas, culminating in a Christmas story that ties a bow on a few of the previous stories and themes from this season. There are also some surprises, weird occurances, and awkwardness. Lots and lots of awkwardness. What were you expecting? 

Some Images To Illustrate The Podcast